Reno-Tahoe International Airport
Role
- Project Delivery & Construction Manager
- Finance Manager
- Design Consultant & Pre-development
- Asset Manager
- Activation Manager
- Facility Manager
- Fueling Manager
Key Figures
Description
In 2018, the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA), Conrac Solutions (CS), Avis Budget Group, Enterprise Mobility and The Hertz Corporation began discussions about the Airport’s identified need for access to an on-airport, centralized location for rental cars and for increased public parking capacity. After a programming analysis, landside study, site selection, and document negotiations, which continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, a solution was agreed upon. CS was selected by the rental car industry to develop a new Ground Transportation Center (GTC), including a consolidated rental car facility, at Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO).
The $299 million privately financed project is part of the broader MoreRNO multi-year infrastructure program. This project, the first following Meridiam’s acquisition of CS in May 2023 and in which Meridiam is also providing the entire equity investment, complements CS’s rental car facility portfolio across the country delivered via CS’ Tenant Development Approach (TDA). Through TDA, via a 30-year ground lease from the RTAA, the facility will be delivered substantially off-balance sheet for the airport and at no cost to local taxpayers, thereby freeing up additional Airport credit capacity. The RTAA Board of Trustees approved the project in March 2024, with financial close completed May 2024.
Notable features of the facility include convenient pedestrian access from the terminal baggage claim via a covered walkway, and infrastructure to support a potential future transition to electric rental car fleets. All ground transportation operators will be situated on the ground floor. The airport garage will also gain additional parking spaces by relocating rental car fleets from the garage to the new facility. Facility opening is scheduled for 2028.
Meridiam is a leading infrastructure developer, investor, and manager, committed to delivering sustainable and resilient infrastructure that delivers positive impact for communities for the long term. Meridiam brings its expertise in sustainable infrastructure and first-hand experience working on transforming international airports around the world, including the recent redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B in New York City.
Project Milestone Dates
- Discussion Began: 2018
- Board Project Approval: March 2024
- Financial Closing: May 2024
- Construction Start: June 2024
- Design/Development Documents Complete: Est. Dec. 2024
- Enabling Projects: Est. May 2024 to June 2025
- Facility Activation Start: Est. Fall 2027
- Ground Transportation Opening: Est. Winter 2027 (ground level)
- ConRAC Opening: Est. 2028
Project Sheets
Project News Releases
Meridiam and Conrac Solutions Announce $299M Project to Enhance Reno-Tahoe International Airport’s Efficiency, Sustainability and Customer Experience
The development will include a Ground Transportation Center and Consolidated Rent-A-Car facility as part of the MoreRNO programRENO, NV – Today, Meridiam, a leading sustainable infrastructure asset manager, and Conrac Solutions (CS), the nation’s only provider of on-airport consolidated rent-a-car facilities, announced a partnership with the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) to develop a new Ground Transportation Center (GTC), including a consolidated rent-a-car facility, at Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), located in Reno, Nevada. The $299 million privately financed project is part of the broader MoreRNO Infrastructure Program and will enhance its efficiency and sustainability at no cost to local taxpayers.
This project, the first following Meridiam’s acquisition of CS in May 2023, complements CS’s 17 existing consolidated rent-a-car facility projects across the country. It also adds to Meridiam’s growing portfolio of modern, sustainability-focused airport assets and reinforces CS’s leadership in developing consolidated rental car facilities in partnership with airport authorities and the rental car industry.
The new facility will be energy efficient and electric-vehicle-enabled in the future, contributing to a lower overall carbon footprint for the airport. It will also include covered pedestrian access from the terminal and increase parking capacity in the airport’s garage through relocation of rental car fleets.
"This project is emblematic of Meridiam’s new ownership of Conrac Solutions, focused on delivering high quality infrastructure to US airport authorities and improving the long-term sustainability of critical transportation infrastructure for communities nationwide," said Nicolas Rubio, CEO Americas, Meridiam. “We are delighted to partner with the RTAA to deliver this transformational project and enhance the tourism and traveler experience for decades to come."
"We're proud of this unprecedented Public-Private Partnership with Meridiam and Conrac Solutions," said Daren Griffin1, President and CEO of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority. "This collaboration is a significant $299 million private sector investment, marking a historic moment for our region. We're committed to delivering an exceptional travel experience for our passengers while keeping the convenience and ease that they deserve, and Conrac Solutions' proven track record in developing innovative ConRAC facilities aligns with our vision for revolutionizing ground transportation at RNO."
"We are proud to have been selected by the rental car industry to develop, finance, and operate a facility that is an important part of the Airport’s MoreRNO Program. Once open, the rental car facility will improve the customer experience by streamlining rental car operations within a centralized location that is still walkable from the terminal and allows for increased airport public parking capacity," said Michael Minerva, CEO, Conrac Solutions.
Meridiam brings its expertise in sustainable infrastructure and first-hand experience working on transforming international airports around the world, including the recent redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B in New York City. The project re-envisioned one of America’s most iconic airports and delivered a world-class terminal that was, in 2023, the first terminal in North America and among just 22 airports and terminals worldwide to achieve the highest possible 5-Star Airport Terminal Rating from Skytrax.
Since 2005, Meridiam has been committed to providing sustainable and transformational infrastructure to communities across the globe, in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Meridiam currently manages 125+ projects focused on low carbon solutions, sustainable mobility, and critical public services across the Americas, Europe, and Africa.
1Daren Griffin is not an officer, director, employee or advisory client of Meridiam Infrastructure North America or its affiliates (“Meridiam”), or an investor in any investment vehicle managed by Meridiam. Daren Griffin did not receive any cash or non-cash consideration from Meridiam for conducting this interview.
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About Meridiam
Meridiam is a leading infrastructure developer, investor, and manager, committed to delivering sustainable and resilient infrastructure that delivers positive impact for communities for the long term. Meridiam is an independent investment Certified B Corporation™ and an asset manager that specializes in development, financing, and long-term management of sustainable infrastructure assets in three core sectors: sustainable mobility, critical public services, and innovative low-carbon solutions. With offices in Addis Ababa, Amman, Dakar, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Libreville, Luxembourg, Washington D.C., Paris, and Vienna, Meridiam’s current global aggregate capital investment is US$85 billion across more than 125 assets to date. Meridiam is a partner of choice to the public sector in North America with a diversified investment and project portfolio, extensive track record, and deep industry expertise. At present, Meridiam manages 25 infrastructure assets in the US, Canada, and Chile with an aggregate capital investment close to US$29 billion. Meridiam is certified ISO 9001: 2015, Advanced Sustainability Rating by VigeoEiris (Moody’s), ISO 37001 Anti-Corruption certification by AFNOR and applies a unique methodology in relation to ESG and impact based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
About Conrac Solutions
Conrac Solutions is an innovative sector leader pioneering consolidated rent-a-car facility project delivery, operations and finance within the mobility infrastructure and aviation space. Conrac Solutions is owned by Meridiam, an independent investment Certified B Corporation™️ and an asset manager that specializes in development, financing, and long-term management of sustainable infrastructure assets (www.meridiam.com). Borne out of the unique combined needs of airports and the rent-a-car industry, CS methodology provides a collective solution for on-airport rent-a-car tenant needs, enhanced traveler experience and reduced environmental footprint. Conrac Solutions operates across 12 states at 16 airports in Anchorage, AK; Austin, TX; Bismarck, ND; Charlotte, NC; Chicago, IL; Eugene, OR; Lubbock, TX; Newark, NJ; Orlando, FL; Portland, OR; Salt Lake City, UT; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; SeaTac, WA and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA. Completed development projects include Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Bismarck Airport, Bradley International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. ConRACs under construction include Reno-Tahoe International Airport, slated for delivery in 2028, and ConRACs currently in planning include Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport and Fairbanks International Airport. For more information, please visit www.conracsolutions.com.
About The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority
The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) operates two of the most important economic drivers for the northern Nevada region–the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) and the Reno-Stead Airport (RTS). The RTAA is financially self-sufficient, meaning it is funded through airport operations and not state or local taxes. The RTAA is transforming the travel experience at RNO with a multi-year infrastructure program, MoreRNO. This construction program—the largest ever at the airport—will bring passengers more of what they love. Learn more at www.MoreRNO.com.
Media Contacts:
Prosek Partners:
pro-meridiam@prosek.com
Antoine Lenoir:
a.lenoir@meridiam.com
+33 6 07 50 75 85
Cassidy Davis:
cdavis@conracsolutions.com
+1 (206) 499-9505